Lancemore Mansion Hotel Werribee Park has launched its Little Explorers school holiday package, and it’s one of the more convenient family getaways for Melbourne parents who don’t want a long drive. We stay two nights with our two kids to try it out, with cookie decorating, a scavenger hunt and a kids’ pamper session all part of the package. We’re reminded just how important it is to slow down, relax and recharge, and we’ve barely left Melbourne.
Staying at Lancemore Mansion with Kids
I’m not the sort of mum who’s into girly things like makeup and nail polish, but offer me some pampering and I’m not about to say no. A stately hotel set inside a working park sounds like it might be more suited to couples than kids, but the Little Explorers package is built specifically for families, with plenty to keep the kids busy and a few treats for the grown-ups too.
This guide covers what’s included in the package, what there is to do with kids on-site and nearby, and what parents should know before booking.
What to Expect from a Family Stay
Lancemore Mansion Hotel sits inside Werribee Park, about 45 minutes’ drive from Melbourne’s CBD. That’s part of the appeal: you get a proper “away for the weekend” feel without a long haul in the car with tired kids in the back seat.
The hotel itself is set among heritage gardens, with the historic Werribee Park Mansion and the Victoria State Rose Garden right on the grounds. It’s a grand, old-world setting, but the Little Explorers package is designed to make sure that doesn’t translate to a stuffy stay.
Room Types for Families
Lancemore Mansion Hotel has a range of room types, though not all of them suit a family. Heritage Rooms and Superior Rooms are cosy, sleeping two, so they’re better suited to a couples’ escape than a family stay.
For families, the Junior Suite sleeps up to three with a king bed, while the 2 Bedroom Family Suite is the one to book for bigger families or if you want more space. We stay in the 2 Bedroom Family Suite, which sleeps up to five guests across two bedrooms (one with a king bed, the other with either a king or two twin beds), plus a spacious en suite with a shower and spa bath. Having two separate bedrooms makes a real difference with kids, as it means bedtime for them doesn’t have to mean bedtime for you too.
Highlights for Kids
Explorer Pack and scavenger hunt. Kids get a Little Explorer’s Adventure sheet and an illustrated map of the grounds, with clues to track down as they explore, from the parterre garden to the mansion’s fireplace. At one point the trail takes us down to the Werribee River, where we spot giraffes, zebras and an ostrich in the distance at the zoo next door. Finish all the questions and kids are rewarded with a certificate from the front desk, and ours are proud as punch about it.
Cookie decorating. Kids get their own DIY cookie decorating kit, a simple activity that goes down well with younger children in particular.
Lawn games and activities. Think classic outdoor games set up on the hotel grounds, giving kids a reason to run off some energy between meals rather than being stuck inside.
Kids eat free. Children dine at the Hotel complimentary as part of the package, which takes the pressure off ordering a full menu of kids’ meals on top of your own dinner.
Cosy kids movie nights. Choose a movie and have popcorn delivered, then set up in the library just off the foyer. You can just as easily do it in your room if you’d rather have an early, low-key night.
Pamper & Polish for kids. Younger guests get their own 30-minute pamper session set up on a sunbed beside the pool, with a soft kids’ robe, a face mask and nail polish. Our girls are absolutely delighted with it. It’s a cute touch, but it’s also a nice reminder that taking time out for a bit of pampering now and then is good for all of us. It’s available on select school holiday dates and not on public holidays, so it’s worth checking before you book if this is a drawcard for your family.
Parents can book their own spa treatment separately at L.M. Spa, and it’s highly recommended if you fancy some proper downtime of your own while you’re there.
The Pool
The pool turns out to be a real highlight of our stay, for the kids and the adults. It’s a heated indoor magnesium pool with a magnesium jacuzzi, plus a tiled Turkish hammam steam room for the grown-ups. My husband makes good use of the gym too, which overlooks the pool so he can keep an eye on us while he trains.
Our kids are confident swimmers, and one thing we really rate is that the jacuzzi joins onto the shallow end of the main pool rather than being a separate, too-hot tub the kids can’t go near. Some hotels keep their spa off-limits to kids because it runs too hot, but this one lets the whole family move between both.
You can also order drinks and snacks to your sunbed between 12pm and 5pm, which makes it easy to spend a lazy afternoon there.
Access is complimentary for overnight hotel guests, and you’ll need your room key to get in. Day visitors can also use the pool if they book a 60-minute spa treatment paired with an all-day pool pass.
What Parents Need to Know
Location and drive time. The hotel is about 45 minutes from Melbourne’s CBD, and around 25 minutes from Avalon Airport if you’re flying in.
Dining. Joseph’s Dining is the hotel’s main restaurant, set in a beautiful room with large windows looking out over the gardens and the mansion. It has a fine dining feel in the evening, with dim lighting and a menu covering barramundi, duck, beef cheek and oysters, plus a caviar service if you’re after something special. Kids get their own menu, colouring and a high chair if needed, and the portions are generous. It gets busy, so book ahead, especially with younger kids in tow.
Breakfast. Breakfast is a buffet, with a good spread of fresh food, hot food, fruit, yoghurt, cereals and breads to choose from.
Free access to the Historic Mansion. Hotel guests get free entry to the Historic Werribee Mansion next door, which has a few interactive elements that kids enjoy.
Free wine tasting at Shadowfax Winery. Guests also get a complimentary wine tasting at Shadowfax, which is an easy walk from the hotel grounds. It’s a nice spot for lunch too, if you want to make a morning of it.
Spa access. L.M. Spa is on-site for parents wanting some downtime of their own, and the Little Explorers package extends a scaled-down pamper session to kids during school holidays only.
Zoo tickets. These aren’t included in the Little Explorers package, so budget for them separately if you’re planning a zoo day as part of your stay.
More nearby extras. If you want to stretch your stay across more than the hotel and zoo, Werribee Park’s surrounds include the Ashcombe Maze, The Elements Coastal Activity Park, and Wyndham Park, plus AquaPulse, Strike Bowling and Holey Moley in nearby Point Cook.
Booking window. The Little Explorers package runs during Victorian school holidays, so availability is tightest around the start and end of each break. Book ahead if you want a particular room type or dates.
Once we book, the hotel calls ahead of our stay to lock in a time for the kids’ pamper session, confirm our details and offer to book Joseph’s Dining for us, which takes the guesswork out of arriving without a plan.
Is It Worth Booking?
Best age groups: The rose gardens and mansion grounds suit a wide age range, but the scavenger hunt is likely to land best with primary-school-aged kids. Toddlers will still enjoy the space to run and the zoo next door, though the spa add-on is more of a treat for older children.
Time required: Two nights gives you enough time to properly explore the zoo, wander the gardens, and still have some downtime at the hotel without feeling rushed. A single night would work if you’re mainly there for a quick relax.
Value for money: With kids eating free and activities included in the package price, it can work out well for families compared to booking a hotel stay elsewhere, especially if you make use of the included extras rather than just the room.
Who would enjoy it most: Families after a low-effort weekend away that still feels a bit special.
FAQs
Is Lancemore Mansion Hotel Werribee Park good for families?
Yes. The Little Explorers package is specifically designed for families, with kid-focused inclusions like a scavenger hunt, cookie decorating, lawn games and free kids’ dining.
How far is Lancemore Mansion Hotel from Melbourne?
It’s about 45 minutes’ drive from Melbourne’s CBD, making it an easy weekend trip rather than a full getaway.
Is Werribee Open Range Zoo close to the hotel?
Yes, the zoo is right next door to the hotel within Werribee Park. Tickets aren’t included in the Little Explorers package, but it’s an easy add-on if you want a full day out.
When does the Little Explorers package run?
It runs during Victorian school holidays. Some inclusions, like the kids’ pamper session, are only available on school holiday dates and not on public holidays.
Do kids eat free at Lancemore Mansion Hotel?
Yes, kids dining complimentary is included as part of the Little Explorers package.
The Tot Team visited as guests of Lancemore Hotels. All opinions are the writers’ own.
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